"Your business gets a lousy reputation once you get to Polk Street", says Sal the barber, whose shop, it should be noted, is not on Polk Street. "It's 
known for all those junk shops and...", he trails off. Well, maybe so -- Polk Street is the lowest point between Nob Hill and Lafayette Park, in more ways than one. And there are several shops that are best left unmentioned. But, Polk Street is where I became a San Franciscan.My place is actually just off Polk, right at the dividing line between the Tenderloin District, which is one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city, and the respectable residential blocks of Financial District professionals. Around here, Polk Street is heavy on bars, nightclubs, smoke shops, cafes, and restaurants. As you get north of California Street, towards the wharf, t
he gorgeously manicured neighborhood of Russian Hill unfolds with some of the best views in town. And the stores become boutiques, fancy cheese shops, booksellers, and pet groomers . Even though it's not the highest point, there's a nice slope down here from Polk toward Van Ness that reveals a spectacular view of the Marina and Cow Hollow districts. You can't quite make it out in this pic on the left, but that's a pretty decent vista behind me.
Passing right in front of City Hall and extending through the heart of the ghetto down to the bay, Polk Street is used to seeing a lot of changes. And my place in particular is right on the dividing line, the transitional area, the place where all types mingle. It's a perfect spot for starting off a new phase of life and offers constant reminders of which direction each decision leads. And speaking of transitisions, here's a more recent pic showing what I looked like when Sal the barber got through with me.
On to the Hastings information session!
3 comments:
i am reminded of one of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite movies, luke wilson giving himself a "sal the barber" in the royal tenenbaums. the song that plays is elliot smith's needle in the hay. i once put this song on a mix cd that i never gave to you.
i am infinitely jealous of a man's ability to do this thing - not the suicide attempt, but to stand in front of a mirror and cut all of your hair off. in the end you're still "acceptable" looking. i would not be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pyBB7y8fDU
there's also a funnier version of this scene with kermit the frog.
I love your story telling. Your blog is one of the most interesting that I read.
Glad you are enjoying your life in San Fran as a resident tourist. I hope you get into Hastings, and I hope you keep sharing your local adventures with me and others who are here, reading, interested. :)
Awesome pictures. I guess Chinese New Year is big there. Keep writing, being busy is good.
Post a Comment